Tag - discovery centre

“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” Oscar Wilde 1856-1900, British Author. Early evening and marooned amongst the Friday night madness of Siam Square’s “beautiful people” and throat choking traffic, there was only one way I was going to get a much needed beer Chang within the hour……head for the Klong! Whether you’re heading to or from Khao San Road (KSR), and as long as it’s before 7 pm, you should bear in mind the Klong (canal) boat taxis as a great alternative when wishing to explore the city as they have natural air-conditioning, there are no traffic jams and they are dead cheap. What more could you ask for?

From under the bridge just behind the Discovery Centre, Siam Square I arrived at Banglamphoo Pier (located under the bridge between the Queens Gallery and Golden Mount) refreshed and wide awake; after ducking under the low bridges along the way, in under 10 minutes for 5 baht.

After a ten minute walk, passing democracy monument, I was seated on KSR with Chang in hand, beer snacks ordered and unfortunately an all too familiar sight these days….. A young smoker (no, not the green kind) being escorted to the cop shop on the back of a police motorcycle.

NO, this is not going to be an account of my usual Friday night walkabout, but instead a much need reminder for all. Whether you’re back in the kingdom again for some more fun this year or are here to leave your mark for the first time, take note because THINGS HAVE CHANGED!

Although it is not obviously apparent in most areas around the city, especially along KSR, there is a very hefty littering penalty in Thailand (take note of the yellow peril below) which conveniently goes hand in hand with the Government’s Anti-Smoking regulations. Briefly, for the uninformed, smoking is prohibited in ALL public buildings and also “supposedly” in air-conditioned establishments (i.e. bars, clubs & restaurants).

Yes, I imagine right about now you’re looking around Khao San and thinking, well hey, I don’t see any such rules down here, but go tell that to the dude who stubbed out his cigarette on the ground while at the ATM. He was seen by a local motorcycle patrol officer and taken off to the cop shop; amidst applause from the misunderstood along the way, to be fined. The guy had no idea what he’d done wrong or what was going on. Unnecessary negativity on what may have been his first night out on KSR.

I speak from experience, there’s no way of getting out of it once you’ve been seen littering; in particular easily seen glowing cigarette stubs, so bear in mind that the fine you’ll have to fork out is anything up 2,000 Baht should you get caught. What’s the solution? Basically think twice before you trash anything in the street. Just remember that there’s a heap of restaurants and bars with ashtrays along KSR and litter bins around the city so be cool and make the effort, after all 2,000 Baht buys a lot of fun in the kingdom right?